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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.